Clotz, Cloz, Kloz Klotz what a clutz ~

December 31, 2008 at 9:35 AM

Hmm what to say on a first post here?

Well firstly I am what is commonly referred to here as a re-learner. I inherited the violin my grandmother taught me on, her mother passed this violin to her.

There is a definitely mystery with the violin as its label is most certainly been placed after the violin was originally made - a copy? perhaps. Right now though I play for fun and really would like to know most of all where the heck I should start looking to find out where my violin has come from.

In 1912 as my gran told me her mother received the violin from Germany, its label says Mittenvald in Bayern George Clotz. From my research it is spelt Kolz or Klotz. The age is not in keeping with George Kloz either. However all I have is the label to go by.

Its such a rich sounding violin, original bow and case although the bow no longer can be adjusted. There is nothing new about it, there are no nicks, there are no scratches nothing at all on the violin except the warn neck that show it has been either used (by myself and gran) or made recently.

Any ideas would be great folks as I live in a very remote area of Australia finding someone to help even near by is somewhat of a challenge. Far North QLD at its best and most available is about 20 years behind in resources to most NSW country towns. I'm glad I found this site for more than this little blopg question however, I wish to play once again like a school child rather than a scratcher at Auld Lang Sine. Nice to be here hope you are all having a wonderful new Years Eve.

From Ben Clapton
Posted on December 31, 2008 at 4:18 PM

Hi Tobi-Lee, and welcome to the site.

Unfortunately with violins it's very difficult to give a definitative answer based only on a description, and it doesn't get much easier when the violin is in someones hands. Unless you've got an original document, it's very tough. But here's what my violin is like - and it may be helpful to you.

The label of my violin states that it was made by Josef Klotz in Mittenwald in 1795. However, from valuations that I have had done on my violin, they say it was probably made by an unknown German luthier around 1900. If he was copying the Klotz violins (the Klotz family were a well known German family of luthiers, one of whom made Mozart's first violin), then I wouldn't be surprised if our two violins were made by the same luthier.

All in all, it doesn't matter too much about the name or who really made it. Yes, it's nice to know, but unless it's a name that many people know, it won't add much to the value, and it won't add anything to the tone. Basically, if you can make it sound good, and it's a tone that you're happy with, then it doesn't matter if it was made by your next door neighbor or Stradivarius.

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on January 3, 2009 at 5:59 AM

Welcome to v.com. I'm sorry I can't give you any advice on finding teachers in Australia, but I live a hemisphere away from you. I can give you support and encouragement fo re-learning how to play that beautiful violin with its rich personal history. I teach a lot of adult beginners and re-beginners, and I love doing it. You can read about it on a page on my website, http://mysite.verizon.net/paulinefiddle/vft.html

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Clotz, Cloz, Kloz Klotz what a clutz ~

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